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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
A preface with a warning always to check which translations you buy. That being said, I think most of my critiques here are about Camus' ideas. This book was a drag to finish, even compared to other philosophies and his own work, The Stranger.
Absurd Reasoning makes well-rounded points; these are mostly suicide as philosophy's most important question and why we shouldn't romanticize or phenomenalize it. There's something to be said about an empathic and individual-focused approach to suicide. I think it's cool how he can integrate this into a logical argument.
But man,,, he is so referential to external works(from Kierkegaard to Kafka to Eastern Religion) that it's difficult to understand. This happens throughout the rest of the book.
Wasn’t the biggest fan of The Absurd Man and Absurd Creation. Lowkey couldn't tell you what sets absurd art apart from normal art besides that Moby Dick is considered absurd and that it comes down to a lot of the artist's intention for the piece. For the archetypes, I wish they were better understood as examples than the three options. A person becoming an actor seems so incredibly niche. The conquerer may be a way to revolt against the absurd, but it makes absurdism seem like a selfish, almost hedonistic choice. Lastly, I am sure the Don Juans of the world find happiness in short-lived passionate romances, but there's certainly meaning and passion within long-term romances too.
And again, these shouldn't be the only three ways to revolt against the absurd.
The retelling of the myth in the last section was captivating and I thought ended the piece well.
Overall, I wouldn't read it again but am glad I did. There is something of value in reading philosophy that I don't fully agree with and can explain why.
Absurd Reasoning makes well-rounded points; these are mostly suicide as philosophy's most important question and why we shouldn't romanticize or phenomenalize it. There's something to be said about an empathic and individual-focused approach to suicide. I think it's cool how he can integrate this into a logical argument.
But man,,, he is so referential to external works(from Kierkegaard to Kafka to Eastern Religion) that it's difficult to understand. This happens throughout the rest of the book.
Wasn’t the biggest fan of The Absurd Man and Absurd Creation. Lowkey couldn't tell you what sets absurd art apart from normal art besides that Moby Dick is considered absurd and that it comes down to a lot of the artist's intention for the piece. For the archetypes, I wish they were better understood as examples than the three options. A person becoming an actor seems so incredibly niche. The conquerer may be a way to revolt against the absurd, but it makes absurdism seem like a selfish, almost hedonistic choice. Lastly, I am sure the Don Juans of the world find happiness in short-lived passionate romances, but there's certainly meaning and passion within long-term romances too.
And again, these shouldn't be the only three ways to revolt against the absurd.
The retelling of the myth in the last section was captivating and I thought ended the piece well.
Overall, I wouldn't read it again but am glad I did. There is something of value in reading philosophy that I don't fully agree with and can explain why.
"But you tell me of an invisible planetary system in which electrons gravitate around a nucleus. You explain this world to me with an image. I realize then that you have been reduced to poetry: I shall never know."
‘the struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. one must imagine sisyphus happy.’
23/07/25: upon further reflection i think camus is wrong the struggle alone isn’t enough to fill a man’s heart but mb im just a girl idk
23/07/25: upon further reflection i think camus is wrong the struggle alone isn’t enough to fill a man’s heart but mb im just a girl idk
reflective
slow-paced
I recommend anyone who reads this to then read Thomas Nagels essay on Absurdism. It is worth the comparison and to me, makes reading Camus a bit of a chore. Nagel reduces the absurd to a part of the human condition, something that just is. The drama of Camus becomes monotony. However, it is still worth the read insofar as you see Camus Sisyphean Absurdism everywhere in pop culture, usually falsely.
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
As much of life doesn't matter, we've got to make the most of it. Some parallels to Thoreau.
informative
reflective
medium-paced